(UPDATED LINK) VNR: 33 high school teams compete in FIRST robotics competition

NOTE: Please disregard previous VNR. 

Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/2WBfZq5

WHAT:     The 12th anniversary of the Hawaiʻi FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) for high school students.

WHO:       High school students from 33 teams that include teams from Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, China, Japan and Taiwan.

WHEN:     March 29–30, 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m.

WHERE:   Stan Sheriff Center, UH Mānoa  

ADDITIONAL FACTS:

• This year’s theme is DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE. The competition revolves around programming the robot to perform tasks that might emerge as part of a space exploration mission. See more about this year’s rules of play at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mew6G_og-PI.

• Teams from China, Japan and Taiwan participated in this year’s completion in addition to high teams from Hawai`i high schools,

• FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology.

• Under strict rules, limited resources and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get.

• Professional mentors volunteer their time and talents to guide each team.

• The winning teams will go on to the FRC World Championships next month in Houston or Detroit.

• Waialua High and Intermediate school is the oldest program in the competition.

• This is the first time Molokai High School participated in the competition.

VIDEO SHOT SHEET

BROLL: (1 minute, 46 seconds)

0:00-1:46, 13 clips: Assorted shots of team competition and pit shots of team prep and robotic adjustments    

SOUNDBITES:

Jasmine Lacar, sophomore

Waialua High and Intermediate School

(15 seconds) “This is my first year in construction support, learning how to operate the robot so now I am thinking about going into engineering, getting myself out there, learning about new job opportunities and thinking about my future.”

Glenn Lee, robotics team coach

Waialua High and Intermediate School

(8 seconds). “Our kids are prepared. They’re working hard in the pits. They’re making sure that everything is okay and they’re just mentally focused.”

Kamalu Kaawa-Richardson, sophomore

Molokai High School

(17 seconds) “I was very shy and nervous coming in the beginning, butterflies in my stomach, I still have some, but overall it really helped me get out, communicate with people in general and overall makes me a better person in general.”